HUFFPOST HILL – FEMA Concentration Camps Totally Screwed By DHS Shutdown

The Justice Department decided to not pursue charges against George Zimmerman — Americans with heart conditions are advised to stay away from their Facebook feed for the next few days. Ron Paul said recently that the Congressional Black Caucus opposes wars only because “they want all of that money to go to food stamps” — a shocking revelation that an old white man could be cranky about minorities and the social safety net. And the secretary of veterans affairs apologized for embellishing his military record, further proving that puffing up your military service or war zone experience is the political-media world’s version of saying you were at Woodstock. This is HUFFPOST HILL for Tuesday, February 24th, 2015:

DHS FUNDING STILL UNCERTAIN – Elise Foley: “Almost as quickly as it came about, a plan from Senate Republican leaders to avert a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has hit a snag. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) announced Tuesday the chamber would move on a full-year DHS funding bill without measures to restrict President Barack Obama’s immigration policies, which have so far hindered the passage of a bill that would keep the department from shutting down on Feb. 27. The Senate will also vote on a separate bill to stop Obama’s 2014 executive actions on immigration. But the plan was quickly questioned by Democratic leaders, who said they don’t want to move forward on even a clean DHS funding bill unless there are assurances from House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) that he’s on board…Time is running out to fund DHS before the deadline, and McConnell’s offer was the first Plan B from Republicans after a House-passed bill was repeatedly blocked in the Senate. The House’s bill would prevent Obama from carrying out a number of his immigration policies as part of funding for DHS, something the president said he would veto. Now McConnell is aiming to split DHS funding from the immigration issue.” [HuffPost]

PRESIDENT VETOES KEYSTONE XL PIPELINE BILL – Prepare to get a final-scene-of-Miracle-on-34th-Street amount of correspondence relating to this in your inbox. Kate Sheppard: “President Barack Obama formally vetoed legislation authorizing the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline on Tuesday, the latest development in what has become an ongoing standoff between him and congressional Republicans over approval of the controversial pipeline. This is only the third veto of Obama’s presidency, but it’s likely not the last. Congressional Republicans are poised to send a number of other measures to Obama’s desk that he is expected to reject, including changes to his signature health care reform law. Obama vetoed the bill privately on Tuesday afternoon, hours after it was sent over from the Hill. White House spokesman Josh Earnest said in the day’s press briefing that the president planned to veto it “without any drama or fanfare or delay.’ The House passed the measureauthorizing construction of the pipeline on Feb. 11, two weeks after the Senateapproved the same legislation. Congressional Republicans held a signing ceremonyand waited until after the weeklong Presidents Day recess to send it to Obama’s desk.” [HuffPost]

President’s veto message to the Senate: “I am returning herewith without my approval S. 1, the ‘Keystone XL Pipeline Approval Act.’ Through this bill, the United States Congress attempts to circumvent longstanding and proven processes for determining whether or not building and operating a cross-border pipeline serves the national interest. The Presidential power to veto legislation is one I take seriously. But I also take seriously my responsibility to the American people. And because this act of Congress conflicts with established executive branch procedures and cuts short thorough consideration of issues that could bear on our national interest — including our security, safety, and environment — it has earned my veto.”

@TheStalwart: I wonder if in 10 years, pot brownies will be illegal because of the sugar.

@StevenTDennis: Orrin Hatch tells me he didn’t watch the Oscars. He said he was watching Downton Abbey instead.

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